Greetings from Italy, here …

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… Professor Umberto Veronesi (1) is one of the most experienced oncologists and is also involved in tobacco control, he discovered, together with another senator Roberto Della Seta (2) that the Japan Tobacco International is sponsoring the shows.  They are 6 entertainment events at theater entitled "Processes to history" , are held in Rome’s most prestigious musical structure that is The Auditorium Concert venue which, despite everything, has accepted Japan Tobacco, even as the main sponsor.

Against this the 2 senators have submitted February 4, 2010 a parliamentary interpellation to the Minister of Health stating Ferruccio Fazio, rightly  wrote that: since the action of deterrence from starting to smoke "… Should be primarily aimed at young people [...] is incomprehensible to the decision of Musica per Roma Foundation, which manages the activities of the Auditorium [...] to select as main sponsor of the exhibition" Processes to History, "[...] ’s company Japan Tobacco International, a major tobacco companies. "   The senators stressed that the fact is even more serious because of the founders of "Music for Rome" – the management company – there are 3 public institutions : Comune di Roma, Provincia di Roma and Regione Lazio !

Here we add that it is immoral for a show is paid by addiction, from the sufferings and blood of smokers.

While it is unclear whether such action is illegal, it is certain that it is very dangerous and completely inappropriate, because it is way of the tobacco companies to give themselves a positive image; and this is why the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control prohibits the any form of sponsorship.  With respect to the FCTC, 5 years of Italy would have time to adjust (3), but there may be other rules or laws to prohibit it exists today, and the fact remains that doing so gives a clear negative message: nobody would accept as a sponsor who sells drugs, so we do not understand why accept those who sell tobacco, which will cause many many more deaths.

Then, we call all their responsibilities, and that as written above and because these behaviors are stigmatized even by the WHO; it eg "MPOWER Report 2008" Director Margaret Chan himself says :

"The cure for this devastating epidemic is dependent not on medicines or vaccines, but on the concerted actions of government and civil society. but unfortunately the 3 institutions mentioned above are not behaving as specified. Work in progress Chan :

"This is a unique point in public health history as the forces of political will, and funding policies are aligned to create the momentum needed to dramatically reduce tobacco use and save millions of lives [...] Reversing this entirely preventable epidemic must now rank as a top priority for public health and for political leaders in every country of the world. "

Regarding the sponsorship ban in the same text is written :

“National-level studies before and after advertising bans found a decline in tobacco consumption of up to 16%.  Advertising bans reduce tobacco use among people of all income and educational levels”.    And :  “To be effective, bans must be complete and apply to all marketing and promotional categories. […] To reduce tobacco consumption – and in fairness to the media industry as a whole – a ban should be complete.”

So there is a clear appeal from OMS too, to the responsibility of politicians, institutions, and civil society but they, at this juncture, are not implementing.

In relation to the facts described above, I consider it very negatively to accept such sponsorship. Request justification, and urge you not to repeat them in future.

Sincerely

(1st name and last name) ____________________

(address, phone or e-mail) ___________________

(city or foreign state) _______________________

(representing /association /institution /hospital) __________________

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SEND TO 9+1 addresses:

- Minister of Health, Ferruccio Fazio (4)

- City of Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno sindaco@comune.roma.it

- Province of Rome, President Nicola Zingaretti, segreteria.presidente @ provincia.roma.it

- Lazio Region, Vice President of the Executive Esterino Montino (Office institutional relationships, Fax: 0651683251 E-mail (Dr. Aloia): galoia@regione.lazio.it)

- Auditorium info@musicaperroma.it; Marketing Office marketing@musicaperroma.it

- Fondazione Musica per Roma, Fax 06 80,241,269 relazionipubblico@musicaperroma.it

- Hon Prof. Umberto Veronesi veronesi_u@posta.senato.it  ;

- Mr Roberto Della Seta dellaseta_r@posta.senato.it

- send an e-mail to me too (to my GLOBALink address ……….)

================================= NOTES ============

(1) Veronesi http://www.senato.it/leg/16/BGT/Schede/Attsen/Senv.html

(2) Della Seta http://www.senato.it/leg/16/BGT/Schede/Attsen/00025200.htm

(3) Italy has ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted by the World Health Organization in 2003. The Italian law of ratification of 18/3/2008No 54 (OJ of 17 April 2008, No 91) and in fact provides a period of 5 years before the full membership of the obligation (but other rules may prohibit certain advertising):

"Article 13 Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
1. Parties recognize that a Comprehensive Ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship
would reduce the consumption of tobacco products.
2. Each Party shall,in accordance with its constitution or constitutional principles,
Undertake a comprehensive ban of all tobacco advertising, promotion and Sponsorship. [...] In this respect, Within the period of five years after entry into force of this Convention for that Party,Each party shall Undertake appropriate legislative, executive, administrative and / or other measures and report accordingly in conformity with Article 21. "

(4) Ministry of Health, 2 ways to write: 1.  Fax +39 06.5994.2376,     2.  e-mail urpminsalute@sanita.it (*)

(*) [Using the e-mail the Ministry of Health asks you to specify 4 things:] The public relations office of the Ministry of Health will respond only to requests that have the following mandatory requirements:  name the applicant address and [e phone], consent to the processing of personal data, statement read this notice under D.Lgs.30/06/2003 196

All messages have this information will not be taken into account. For security reasons, please also do not send attachments (no beds). Writing URP: Send a Email with your application stating full name, phone number, address, city and e-mail. Our experts will answer your question prior consent to the processing of personal data in accordance with Article 13 of D. Decree 196/2003 and subsequent amendments.   It requires, therefore, to insert at the bottom of the e-mail the following:  "Authorize the Department of Health to the processing of personal data listed above for the functional purpose to your business. I also declare that I have read ‘Information (PDF, 16 Kb) under D.Lgs.30/06/2003 No. 196

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- Press release http://www.rsinews.it/newsformat1.asp?news=3044

- Code of Ethics http://www.auditorium.com/it/auditorium/chi-siamo/codiceetico

- The founders are the City of Rome, the Chamber of Commerce, the Province of Rome and the Lazio Region.

- Auditorium – sponsor http://www.auditorium.com/it/sponsor/